Story: Waka – canoes

Te Toki-a-Tāpiri (1st of 3)

Te Toki-a-Tāpiri

Te Toki-a-Tāpiri is one of the last of the traditional waka taua (war canoes) remaining from the 1800s. It is 25 metres long and carried up to 100 people. It was built around 1836 for Te Waaka Tarakau of the Ngāti Kahungunu tribe. Before it was completed it was presented to Te Waaka Perohuka of Rongowhakaata who, along with others from his tribe, carved the prow, the sternpost, and the thwarts. From here it passed through the guardianship of the Ngāpuhi people, then Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāti Whātua, until it ended up in the hands of the government. It is now on display in the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira
Photograph by Josiah Martin

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, 'Waka – canoes - Waka taua', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6000/te-toki-a-tapiri (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, published 12 Jun 2006